# How to Develop Your Next.js AI Video Conferencing App with Stream
Video conferencing has undergone many transformations and seen increased usability in enterprise settings. A global shift has occurred with the rise of remote and hybrid work models, which, in turn, has accelerated the demand for more reliable communication platforms. The global video conferencing market size and value are expected to hit [USD 12.5 billion by 2027](https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/video-conferencing-market), according to market estimates.

This market is gaining momentum through AI-powered video conferencing applications, which extend the capabilities of video calling. If you want to build a Next.js AI video conferencing app to take advantage of such AI-powered solutions, we will guide you through the best steps, why it is a great choice, how to adapt AI to your specific requirements, and much more.

## Why Next.js Is the Right Platform Choice for Video Conferencing Applications
* **Exceptional Performance:** Server-side rendering and static site generation pre-render pages, leading to faster load times and better SEO.
* **Seamless Routing:** File-based routing simplifies navigation, making it easy to structure routes for lobbies, meeting rooms, and profiles.
* **Optimized for Real-Time:** Works in harmony with WebRTC for smooth, real-time communication.
* **Developer-Friendly:** A vast and active ecosystem, a strong community, and React-based syntax speeds up the build process. Stream’s SDK integrates easily with Next.js.
## Setting Up Your Next.js Video App Development Environment
Before getting started, here are the prerequisites needed to build a Next.js AI video conferencing application:
### 1. Fresh Next.js project
First, you'll need to [hire Next.js developers](https://www.cmarix.com/hire-nextjs-developers.html) to develop a new Next.js application. You can do this using the official create-next-app command in your terminal. This command sets up the basic file structure and dependencies for your project.
`npx create-next-app@latest my-video-app`
Navigate into your new project directory:
`cd my-video-app`

### 2. Install the Stream Video SDK
Next, install the Stream Video SDK. This SDK provides the needed components and hooks to handle complex real-time video and audio features, such as WebRTC connections, with ease.
`npm install @stream-io/video-react-sdk`

### 3. Obtain API Keys from Stream
To connect your application to Stream's services, you need to get your API keys. Go to the Stream developer portal, create a new application, and retrieve your API Key and API Secret. You'll use these credentials to authenticate your app.
### 4. Configure Environment Variables
To keep your API keys secure and out of your public codebase, you should store them as environment variables. Create a file named .env.local in the root of your project and add your keys to it.

NEXT_PUBLIC_STREAM_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
STREAM_SECRET=YOUR_SECRET

`The NEXT_PUBLIC_ prefix` makes the variable accessible on both the client and server side in your Next.js application, which is necessary for handling authentication on the frontend while keeping the sensitive data safe on the backend. This setup ensures that your sensitive information never gets exposed to the public.
## Key Components of Your Next.js-Based Real-Time Communication App
* **Video Feed and UI:** Streams make layouting with grids or spotlights easier.
* **Audio Processing:** Noise cancellation and lowering of echo to improve voice clarity and quality.
* **Screen Sharing:** Allows screen sharing or presenting specific applications as needed.
* **Text Chat:** Provides a secondary communication channel/platform.
* **User Management:** Handles authentication, permissions, and admin/access roles.
* **AI Enhancements:** Adds auto-generated transcription, translation, summaries, and other sentiment analysis features.
## Adding AI Features That Truly Improve Your Video Conferencing App
AI has the power to turn a basic video call experience into something much more engaging and productive. Instead of just connecting people, your Next.js-based video conferencing app will actively assist them. Some game-changing factors can include:
* **Real-time transcription and translation:** AI can show live captions and translate them, so everyone can understand, no matter the language.
* **Background management:** AI can blur your background or replace it with a virtual office to keep things looking professional.
* **Automatic meeting notes:** AI can take notes for you, highlight the important points, and even make a list of tasks.
* **Sentiment tracking:** Gain insight into team engagement or mood without affecting the process.
* **Smart assistants:** Bots that handle are able to perform tasks like scheduling, timekeeping, or muting distractions.
### Designing a User-Friendly Interface
The best AI features won’t matter if people can’t navigate your app without getting confused. A clean, intuitive UI keeps things simple and visually curated:
* Utilize minimal layouts to keep the focus on people, not buttons.
* Use familiar icons for essentials like mute, video, and screen share.
* Focus on mobile responsiveness or the mobile-first principle to ensure it looks and performs smoothly across all platforms.
* Design for accessibility with features such as assistive features, high-contrast themes, clear labeling, and screen reader support.
### Security and Trust Built In
When it comes to communication tools, trust is everything. People need to know their data is safe. That means:
* Secure sign-in with modern standards like JWT.
* Encryption everywhere: for data in transit and at rest.
* Additional layers of protection, including two-factor authentication, role-based permissions, and end-to-end encryption for private interactions.
### Key Characteristics and Real-Time Performance Standards for AI-Powered Video Call Apps
* Low latency so conversations stay natural.
* Adaptive bitrate that adjusts video quality automatically when the network isn’t perfect.
* Smart compression to save bandwidth without hurting video quality.
* Monitoring tools that track performance and notify users if something needs attention.
### Deployment and Scaling Without the Headaches
**Getting your app live and keeping it reliable as it grows, it doesn’t have to be painful:**
* One-click deployment with platforms like Vercel makes launching simple.
* Global distribution through edge servers ensures a fast experience for users everywhere.
* Built-in scalability with load balancing and auto-scaling, allowing your app to grow smoothly as demand increases.
## Final Words
Building a Next.js AI video conferencing app requires you to [hire web developers](https://www.cmarix.com/hire-web-developers.html). They should be capable of combining modern frameworks with powerful infrastructure. Next.js smoothly handles performance and scalability easily, while Stream handles the complexity of real-time communication. Adding AI features creates a tool that is not only functional but intelligent.

The future of communication isn’t just about connecting people, but it’s about making them smarter, more inclusive, and productive. With Next.js and AI at its core, your app can lead that transformation.